ORILLIA, ON, /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police would like
to remind boaters to "Think Safety First" when out enjoying the
lakes and rivers of Ontario.

During this time of the year, recreational boating and cold
water are a bad mix particularly if smart decisions are not made
before heading out onto the water. To enhance your chances of a
safe return always ensure to never overload your boat and never
go out if foul weather is in the forecast.

Ensure that all occupants are properly wearing their lifejackets
or Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) and that the required
safety equipment is in the vessel before leaving the dock.

"Tragically we continuously see the failure to wear a lifejacket
or PFD as the leading cause for drowning in marine fatalities in
situations where there should be a 100% survival rate," said
Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander for
Traffic Safety which includes responsibility for OPP operations
on trails and waterways. "The OPP would like to see mandatory
use of PFDs while on board a vessel less than 6 metres."

Lifejackets and PFDs are designed to keep you afloat if thrown
overboard.

"It is no use to you if it is in the boat while you are
overboard and in the water," stated Sergeant Dave Moffatt,
Marine Programs Coordinator for the OPP Highway Safety Division.

Cold water immersion is a major contributing factor to marine
fatalities this time of the year. The greater the length of time
a boater spend in the water, the less of a chance they will have
for a self rescue due to the cold effects the water has on the
body. Wearing a lifejacket or PFD in these instances will
greatly increase survival times and increase your odds of being
able to either being pulled from the water or to swim to safety.

In 2008, the OPP investigated 30 marine fatalities. Over 75% of
those fatalities (23) were as a result of people not wearing a
lifejacket or PFD.

Already in 2009, on OPP patrolled waterways, 4 people have died
in four separate marine incidents, the most recent 2 fatalities
occurring this past weekend. In each of these fatalities, the
victims had not been wearing a lifejacket or PFD.

Marine fatalities are preventable. Before going out onto the
water "Think Safety First" and wear your lifejacket or PFD. It
could save your life.